Kobie Turner ekes into PFF's top-10 DT list

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner has established himself as one of the league’s premier interior defenders, and Pro Football Focus’ latest rankings back that up.

The analytics outlet slotted the Rams defensive tackle at No. 9 in its top 32 interior defenders ahead of the 2026 season, highlighting his continued growth as a pass rusher.

Turner has developed into a really strong pass-rusher from the defensive interior, and is still just 27 years old. He has totalled 50, 62 and 69 pressures in each of the past three seasons, respectively, and set a career-high with an 83.9 PFF pass-rush grade last year. He’s been solid against the run too, with a PFF run-defense grade above 66.0 in each of those three seasons.

Turner has developed into a really strong pass-rusher from the defensive interior, and is still just 27 years old. He has totalled 50, 62 and 69 pressures in each of the past three seasons, respectively, and set a career-high with an 83.9 PFF pass-rush grade last year. He’s been solid against the run too, with a PFF run-defense grade above 66.0 in each of those three seasons.

Turner’s pressure numbers have climbed every year since entering the league, and last season’s career-best grade suggests he’s still trending upward rather than plateauing. Combined with steady run-defense marks, PFF’s ranking reflects a player who has become a well-rounded force up front rather than a one-dimensional rusher. In terms of raw production, Turner tallied seven sacks in 2025 (fewer than the eight and nine he had in his first two seasons, respectively), with 48 combined tackles, nine tackles for a loss, one interception and 14 quarterback hits.

The recognition stands in contrast to how Turner fared in a separate survey last month. ESPN polled NFL coaches, executives and scouts on the league’s top defensive tackles, and Turner didn’t crack the top 10 or even land among the honorable mentions, instead landing in the “also receiving votes” tier alongside players like Cameron Heyward and Kenny Clark.

Turner wasn’t the only Rams interior lineman to crack PFF’s list, though. Poona Ford checked in at No. 16, continuing a strong stretch that began during his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers and has carried over since joining the Rams.

Ford has enjoyed a late career breakout and has impressed over the past two seasons, first with the Los Angeles Chargers and then the Los Angeles Rams. A strong run defender with PFF run-defense grades of 80.3 and 78.6 in each of the past two seasons, he is also a solid pass-rusher, accumulating 34 total pressures from 342 pass-rushing snaps last season.

Ford has enjoyed a late career breakout and has impressed over the past two seasons, first with the Los Angeles Chargers and then the Los Angeles Rams. A strong run defender with PFF run-defense grades of 80.3 and 78.6 in each of the past two seasons, he is also a solid pass-rusher, accumulating 34 total pressures from 342 pass-rushing snaps last season.

Having two top-16 interior defenders gives the Rams significant strength at a position that’s often overlooked outside of star pass rushers. Turner’s ascension as a legitimate three-down threat, paired with Ford’s run-stuffing reliability, gives Los Angeles one of the more complete interior duos in the league heading into the season — regardless of how outside voters weigh his name recognition.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Kobie Turner ekes into PFF’s top-10 DT list